Care Partner Burnout in Kidney Disease Is Real. Here’s What You Can Do

Care partners are the quiet heroes who walk beside people with kidney disease every step of the way. But care partners often face their challenges, especially when they don’t get the rest and support they need. Whether you’re new to caregiving or have been doing it for years, this guide will help you understand the role of kidney disease care partners, spot burnout early, and find ways to take care of yourself.

What Is a Kidney Disease Care Partner?

A care partner is a family member, friend, or loved one who helps someone living with kidney disease or a transplant manage their health and daily needs. “Care partners are the most vital part of the support team,” said kidney social worker Michelle Rowlett. “They play a key role in providing patients with practical and emotional support.” Care partners are often a patient’s first line of support. They attend appointments, ask questions, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

How Care Partners Help

Care partners may help patients in a variety of ways, including:

Medical and Treatment Support

• Go to or arrange transportation for doctor visits

• Track kidney numbers, symptoms, and lab results

• Manage medications

• Help with dialysis or post-transplant care

• Advocate for and communicate with doctors, pharmacists, and insurance

• Assist with disability, Medicare, or other benefits

Daily Living Tasks

• Grocery shop and prepare kidney-friendly meals

• Help with bathing, dressing, or mobility

• Keep the home clean to reduce infection risk

• Handle bills, insurance paperwork, and copays

• Advocate for workplace accommodations

• Plan for care or transplant-related expenses

Emotional and Social Support

• Offer friendship and encouragement

• Support emotional well-being and independence

• Communicate with extended family and support networks

Find family and caregiver resources. 

What Is Care Partner Burnout?

Supporting someone with kidney disease is often similar to a full-time, unpaid job. With so much responsibility, it’s no surprise that care partners can face burnout.

Caregiver burnout is emotional, mental, or physical exhaustion resulting from caring for someone else, especially over a long time without sufficient rest or support.

“Caregivers can experience a loss of freedom, financial stress, anxiety, and fatigue,” said Michelle. “Over time, this can lead to burnout, especially when care partners neglect self-care.” Many also juggle caregiving with their own daily responsibilities. This kind of stress builds slowly, often going unrecognized until it becomes overwhelming.

Signs of Care Partner Burnout

According to the National Institute on Aging, signs of caregiver burnout include:

• Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or anxious

• Irritability or frequent mood swings

• Trouble sleeping or constant fatigue

• Sadness or depression

• Feeling lonely or disconnected

• Headaches or other physical pain

• Neglecting your health and self-care

• Using alcohol or drugs to cope

How To Avoid or Recover from Burnout

Care partner burnout is common. But there are steps you can take to prevent or recover from it. Ruthie, a care partner, and her husband Jim, a transplant recipient, share five strategies that helped them.

1. Recognize the Signs

While care partners often notice changes in their loved one’s health, they may overlook signs of stress or burnout in themselves. “I did everything for Jim without noticing how much it was affecting me. I couldn’t sleep and was anxious. I didn’t feel like myself,” Ruthie said. “You don’t always realize you’re struggling until it is too late. "Recognizing the signs early can help you adjust before things get overwhelming. So, check in with yourself regularly and track your feelings over time.

2.  Use Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Once burnout is acknowledged, you can begin using scientifically proven coping strategies like mindfulness-based therapies. These help you slow down, stay present, and respond to stress in healthier ways.

• Mindfulness-based therapies include:

• Meditation

• Deep breathing

• Light exercise, like yoga or walking

Even just a few minutes a day can make a difference in how you feel. Learn simple practices to manage stress and improve mental health.

3. Set Boundaries and Ask For Help

Creating space for your well-being allows you to give support with more patience and compassion.

Ask yourself:

• What’s draining me right now?

• What do I need more of?

• What’s one thing I can let go of or ask for help with?

• What services, professionals, friends, family, colleagues, or congregation members could help?

Once you identify who could help, it’s time to reach out. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help. Something as simple as running a few errands or preparing a kidney-friendly dinner could make all the difference for you.  

4. Get Professional Support

For Ruthie and Jim, professional support made a lasting difference. “Therapy was incredibly important for us,” Ruthie said. “It gave us a space to say the hard things and talk through the emotions that build up when you’re caregiving.” Consult with your kidney social worker if you’re unsure where to start.

They can help connect you to:

• Individual or couples therapists

• Professionally led support groups

• Food, transportation, or financial assistance resources

5. Find Community

Friends and family are essential, but they may not fully understand what you're going through. That’s where a support group or community of fellow care partners can help.

“Ruthie had resentment for the situation and how much I changed,” Jim said. “Then she found a support group and learned she wasn’t alone. I joined soon after. We learned a lot together.” Today, Ruthie unwinds with her cycling and knitting groups. She also gives back by mentoring other care partners through the NKF Peers program. “Don’t forget to be your own person,” Ruthie said. “It’s important not to lose yourself.”

NKF Peers is a free, one-on-one service that connects patients, donors, and care partners with trained mentors who’ve walked a similar path. Jim now mentors others, too. “I’m very involved in supporting the kidney disease community,” he said. “It helps me stay connected, grounded, and optimistic.”